Why Signalling in Roundabouts is so Important

Much like intersections controlled by stop signs or traffic lights, roundabouts are an effective way to safely manage intersecting vehicles and pedestrians going their various ways.

We can all agree using turn signals at stop signs and traffic lights is a simple and straightforward way to let others know where we’re going. Turning left? Flick on the left turn signal. Turning right? Activate the right. Going straight? Chill, and wait for your chance to continue on your way.

Safe driving = Great communication.

But for some reason, many drivers in British Columbia seem to think turn signals don’t have a place in roundabouts.

In fact, we recently set up a video camera at a roundabout to capture proof of this bleak, “blinkerless” trend. But if more of us keep sending out the proper signals, the trend is sure to shift.

Let it be known that the Oh Mighty Blinker is actually quite important for alerting other drivers of your intentions while travelling roundabouts.

Signalling in roundabouts can be summarized like this:

When entering roundabout: activate signal corresponding with the exit you plan on taking.

First exit (typically a right turn) = right turn signal

Second exit (typically going straight through roundabout) = No signal

Third exit (typically a left turn) = left turn signal

When exiting roundabout: activate right turn signal

Look at it like this: A roundabout is essentially a four-way intersection with a rotary traffic island in the middle. Signalling where you intend to go, and when you exit, is best practice. These rules are consistent with other countries, such as the United Kingdom, where roundabouts have been used for decades to improve safety and traffic flow.

Why is signalling in roundabouts so important?

Turn signals allow drivers entering the roundabout to better determine a safe opportunity to proceed. They also warn drivers already in the roundabout – those following behind, for example – when they can expect the vehicle ahead of them to slow down and turn off.

82 Responses to Why Signalling in Roundabouts is so Important

Cowichan Peter on March 3, 2019 at 7:18 pm

Another (simpler) way of thinking of the “Left signal for the second exit” is that if you’re using a roundabout to turn left, signal a left turn until you start to exit. IF you’re using it to turn right, signal a right turn.
If you’re going straight through, don’t signal… until you’re about to exit.
Having driven for 50 years in BC … but also quite abit in Australia, when I see someone coming towards me with no signal, I assume they’re going straight….. (ie exiting where I’m coming from)

I’ve learned since first seeing BC (and other Canadian) drivers that I cannot rely on that…. and therefore slow myself (and everyone behind me down) until I see the guy either exit or signal an exit.

The comments to this article show the confusion that abounds when suggestions are made to signal left. The article says that it should be only when entering the roundabout and the aim is to leave at the third exit. Some commenters say that you should signal left as you go around, and then switch to right when exiting. This in itself shows that signaling left means different things to different people, and can’t be relied upon as an indication of where the vehicle is going. So do away with recommending left signals on roundabouts (yes, we know the UK recommends it, but other jurisdictions don’t). And stick with the guidance of ICBC for consistency (until such time as they may amend it) recommending signaling right only when leaving roundabouts. Clear, simple, and consistent.

Whoever wrote this is over thinking it. Signalling when entering a single lane traffic circle (roundabout) provides no value to the other drivers. Everyone knows you are going counter-clockwise, and no one at any of the entrances is paying attention to what each other are doing, their attention is *should be* on the traffic IN the circle, waiting for a chance to enter.

Once in the circle if your signal light is off, the presumption is you are not taking the next exit. This lets people waiting to enter know that you are continuing. If your right signal light is on, people know you are taking the next exit, and they can *carefully* enter since you are not continuing.

It’s not law, and provides no value. Can you please remove or update this opinion piece to avoid confusion over the matter.

I disagree.
It’s simple: If you’re turning left, whether using a traffic circle or not, signal left. If you’re turning right, signal right.
Add a blink right when you exit.
The Aussies (and, I presume, the Brits) have it right and it works very effectively. People don’t stop at the circle to see if the guy coming from the other direction without a signal is leaving the circle or not….. moves along much more smoothly.
The addition of the signal when you’re about to leave the circle just adds another level of safety-through-communication of intent. THe more the better.

You seem to have changed your mind on the issue of signaling into a roundabout. From your own YouTube: https://youtu.be/COJmvvqLTSg. He states that there is only one way to go through a roundabout (counterclockwise), therefore no signal is required to enter, unlike in exiting, where you can proceed around (straight) or turn right out of the roundabout.

Thanks for your comment and for bringing the above mentioned video to our notice. We are working to update any inconsistent messaging existing about how to use roundabouts on BC Highways and have removed that video temporarily. The BC Motor Vehicle Act is essentially the authoritative guide on driving; however, signalling in roundabouts is not specifically covered. We have discussed appropriate roundabout signalling with ICBC. We agree signalling right before exiting the roundabout is important. Our traffic safety engineers’ interpretation of the MVA, as it relates to signalling in roundabouts, views a roundabout similar to a four-way intersection, and maintains there is an added benefit to letting other drivers know the intended exit, even prior to approaching that exit. This view is shared by other countries, such as the UK, and it is our recommendation.
That said, it would be a victory in itself if drivers at least signalled right before exiting roundabouts. We produced the video/blog because we see many drivers do not signal at all – whether entering or exiting – roundabouts.

Your site is still promoting left signalling when at a roundabout there are no left turns, only right turns. I will quote part of an email from a traffic engineer that I know and have been discussing this issue: “I actually met with the chief road safety engineer for MOTI to discuss this issue and to convince them to be in line with the rest of North America. Upon leaving I had there agreement to change, but that was a couple of months ago and I haven’t seen anything. Perhaps a follow up is required.”

Hi Tom. We mention the left turn signalling to keep us compliant with what is required by the BC Motor Vehicle Act. Roundabouts are not specifically dealt with in the BC MVA; however, signals on turning specifically is.

Signals on turning
170 (1)If traffic may be affected by turning a vehicle, a person must not turn it without giving the appropriate signal under sections 171 and 172.
(2)If a signal of intention to turn right or left is required, a driver must give it continuously for sufficient distance before making the turn to warn traffic.
(3)If there is an opportunity to give a signal, a driver must not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving the appropriate signal under sections 171 and 172.

We consider a roundabout a traffic control device to deal with the orderly movement of traffic at intersections where conflicting traffic exists.

Regardless of it being a roundabout or any other kind of intersection the only time I trust someones turn signals are when they are either in a left turn lane, a right exit lane, otherwise they must be slowing down steadily with their signal on and then I might, might, trust they really are doing what they signal …. too many people out there who got the licence out of a cereal box ! ! ! !

I don’t understand the left blinker. By the time you’ve gone around the roundabout to turn on the third exit, you’re facing a completely different direction than when you stared in the roundabout. AND, you’ll be in view of completely different vehicles. There’s no need to tell vehicles that are not even going to be there when you’re turning. Also, when you get to the third exit, the vehicles there don’t know where you came from. So it’s pointless. I’ve seen so many people put the left blinker on and then exit the first, second, and third exit. Most of the time not even putting on their right blinker
I contacted the engineers in my city and asked them (the ones who work with roundabout designs and concepts) and they said you should never use your left signal in a roundabout.
Honestly, a left blinker can serve no benefit in a roundabout.

Your left turn signal is also a cue for those waiting to enter at the third exit that you will be moving past them. If you didn’t have your left signal on (and because signalling is so infrequently done to indicate intention to exit), they might assume that you were exiting the circle at their exit and enter in front of you, possibly causing an accident. We understand the frustration around this, and the fact that folks aren’t signalling as well as they should be to indicate their intention to exit. This is relatively new to BC and will take a bit of getting used to.

I appreciate your valuable information in comments especially the one given to Shauna; when you mentioned that left turn signal is not just for a driver behind you(as many think of), but also for other drivers who are entering roundabout For me giving left turn signal before turning left is more important than right turn signal at your second or third exit(as my right turn signal may not be visible anyway to the drivers on my front left)
The last comment on this page shared by Heather is very useful too Thanks guys That is encouraging me who consistently using signals for the safety of all of us, and who is frustrating when other are careless

The idea that one need not signal if traveling straight across a traffic circle/roundabout just seems wrong; this is what we do at NON- traffic circle/roundabout intersections, so what then distinguishes a traffic circle/roundabout? And what happens when there are more than four entrances/exits from the intersection? Using the left turn signal while in a traffic circle/roundabout also seems wrong; since when do we use a signal light for telling people where we’re *not* going? The only legal turns in a traffic circle/roundabout are right-hand turns, not lefts. If one uses a right turn signal to indicate their upcoming exit (i.e., after passing the exit immediately before their exit), then everything is clear and simple.

Roundabouts (like intersections and the lights or signs that govern them) are traffic control devices. A roundabout is essentially a 4-way intersection with a rotary traffic island in the middle. Signalling where you intend to go while entering — left (left signal), straight (no signal), or right (right signal) — and when you exit, is best practice. These rules are consistent with other countries. Take the United Kingdom, for example: https://www.gov.uk/…/the…/using-the-road-159-to-203

Things do get trickier when there are more than four points of entry/exit, but the idea remains the same. Signalling your intention upon entering the circle gives everyone around you notice of your direction.

Our traffic safety engineers’ interpretation of the MVA, as it relates to signalling in roundabouts, views a roundabout similar to a four-way intersection, and maintains there is an added benefit to letting other drivers know the intended exit, even prior to approaching that exit. This view is shared by other countries, such as the UK, and it is our recommendation.

That said, it would be a victory in itself if drivers at least signalled right before exiting roundabouts. We produced the video/blog because we see many drivers do not signal at all – whether entering or exiting – roundabouts. Thanks for your comments, we appreciate them.

Another point here is that not only is it important to signal so everyone knows your intention in the roundabout (to continue in the roundabout or to exit it-keeping the traffic flowing more smoothly), but also that you give-way to the left when you are going to enter the roundabout(in North America-give way to the right in the UK). Those in the roundabout always have the right away first, and then if you have vehicles proceeding from your left you give way to them so you don’t cut off that driver. If you are already in the roundabout or proceed before there is someone entering the roundabout to your left you have the right away. This does not work like a yield or merge where you expect the driver who is already in the roundabout to “let you in” or “let you merge”, this is not the purpose of the roundabout, the purpose is to keep traffic flowing as uninterrupted as possible. That is why when 2 vehicles approach a roundabout at the same time, you give -way to the left to keep the traffic moving and not cut off the other driver. This information is from years of driving in roundabouts in Australia and UK where there are very few accidents or interruptions to flow at the roundabout.

No need to signal upon entering. Totally unnecessary.
I don’t believe rear end collisions are common in roundabouts, so no need to let people behind you know where your going, they simply follow.
No need to brake before exiting, simply signal a right turn to give the driver waiting to enter a split second advance notice of your intention to leave at that exit.
Basically if you yield to the left upon entering, everything works just fine, signalling is an unnecessary splitting of hairs further complicating and confusing a simple process

Thanks for your sharing your thoughts about signalling in roundabouts.

A roundabout is essentially a four-way intersection with a rotary traffic island in the middle. Signalling where you intend to go while entering — left (left signal), straight (no signal), or right (right signal) — and when you exit, is best practice. These rules are consistent with other countries. Take the United Kingdom, for example: https://www.gov.uk/…/the…/using-the-road-159-to-203

My question involves the small, traffic calming circles that one finds in neighborhoods. Do these follow the same right-of-way rules as do larger roundabouts? In particular what should happen when two vehicles are approaching such a small circle from opposite directions and one vehicle, arriving at the circle a couple of seconds before the other, wishes to make a left turn in front of the second? Does that vehicle have the right of way because they are ‘in’ the circle first? That sounds dangerous.

Hello Rick and thanks for your question. A traffic circle is a type of intersection. Here’s what ICBC has to say about traffic circles:

Traffic circles are mostly found in residential neighbourhoods. When you’re using a traffic circle:

• Slow down as you approach the circle.
• Obey any posted traffic control signs, such as “Yield” or
“Stop” signs. If there are no traffic control signs, treat it as an
uncontrolled intersection.
• Yield to any traffic in the traffic circle. If another vehicle arrives
at the traffic circle at the same time as you do, yield to the
vehicle on your right.
• Go around the traffic circle to the right (that is, in a counterclockwise
direction).

You say “when entering roundabout: activate signal corresponding with the exit you plan on taking.
First exit (typically a right turn) = right turn signal
Second exit (typically going straight through roundabout) = No signal
Third exit (typically a left turn) = left turn signal ”

Surely on the third exit, you signal right to leave the circle.not left to stay in the circle. Once in the circle you are considered in the flow of traffic and to exit you signal right; as you are turning right. If you moissed your exit and continued around, you would signal right prior to any subsequent exit you took. Signal left? NO WAY!

Hi Jonathan. Yes, you are correct. You always signal right when exiting a roundabout. So, when planning to take the third exit: signal left while entering the roundabout and switch signal to right before exiting.

Thanks for your question about traffic circles. Signalling is important there (as well as in roundabouts), because it helps people wanting to enter the circle know if there is a good opportunity to enter (i.e. a driver in the circle indicates with their signal that they plan to leave the roundabout before the next entrance) or not. Signalling also warns drivers already in the circle that the signalling vehicle ahead will be slowing down because they plan to turn off.

Love this topic and all the discussions it creates. There is virtually no driving event that I take part in that I do not signal. I was taught well when I was younger and believe that “driving” is a job, or a task that anyone must take seriously and avoid distractions like the plague, including, but not limited to e-devices, kids, chatting, etc.. Traffic circles, I like them, been in some of the biggest (Damascus) and smallest – they work well if everyone knows how to drive initially. Signalling – every step of the way through a traffic circle regardless of exit. I signal to everyone thereby giving them the fullest opportunity to avoid hitting me, I check my lights often to ensure they are in working order (albeit the sun sometimes makes it difficult to be seen, but I recognize that as well), so some people just can’t/don’t see them and/or others think they just own the road… I’m currently from Alberta so thanks for that comment :-/; I’ve been all over and can write a lot of provincial names down, which means nothing. I wish we could enforce training/compliance more as most people take driving as easy and have appear to have limited skill or appreciation for other road users. There are a lot of great people out there as well, I thank them when I drive :- ). The legislation should reflect that signals are to be on throughout the traffic circle in my opinion. TY

Hi
Reading the conversations for this round about I have come to the conclusion that people just don’t want to follow the rules.I travel through a roundabout at least four times a day and find that less that 50% of the vehicles signal when they go through which frustrates me. I think education is the answer, first when the new drivers are getting their licence and maybe there should be signage at the roundabout to show people what they need to do. As we are getting more and more roundabouts we could have law enforcement set up at a round about and give out warnings to those who do not at least signal right when leaving the roundabout. Maybe the TV news could do a piece on educating people. EDUCATE THE PEOPLE.

Can you comment on the rules when encountering a large commercial transport vehicle which may straddle both lanes heading the same direction in a roundabout? Common sense would tell me to hang back and not overtake this large vehicle. What are the rules for this particular scenario and if the smaller vehicle overtook the commercial vehicle straddling both lanes and a collision ensued, what sections of the M.V. Act apply? I encountered this situation myself yesterday and my instinct was to hang back. Glad I did because I would have gotten squished had I decided to pass on right. I did not see a signal indicated on the semi.

Your instinct was right – giving large commercial vehicles the room they need to make turns is always advisable. In fact, we build our roundabouts with aprons which allow these big rigs room to ride up on, if they need the extra room to move through the circle. Commercial vehicles are governed by regulation in the Commercial Transportation Act. Often, these large vehicles will have a graphic on the back indicating that they need space to make wide turns. Thanks for your question – we hope this answer helped!

I read your instructions to a friend to trying to teach him how to use a roundabout because he doesn’t signal at circles and needed some official confirmation of my instructions….your instructions are stupid and unclarifying… they confirm the necessity of signalling in traffic circles only to then give three options, one of which is signalling right, one left, and the 3rd is to NOT SIGNAL AT ALL ( and let’s be clear: the absence of a signal is the behaviour you’re trying to correct here is it not???) The way I learned was to signal right if you’re taking the next exit or signal left if you’re continuing through it. Wouldn’t that be simpler then the absence of the signal option? Then the lack of signal would mean somebody was uninformed and had to be carefully watched by others. In your instructions, a scenario involving the absence of the signal means they’re getting off at the second stop….to people who don’t know how long they’ve been in there who are yielding to them. i’ve never commented before on anything on the Internet but you govt peeps have gotta figure this out.

Thanks for your comment. Our blog is consistent with Alberta guidelines in that we advise drivers to activate their right signal when approaching their exit. The “no signal required” mentioned in the video refers entering the roundabout with the expectation of continuing “straight,” which is typically the second exit.

Four of us older ladies will be arriving in Kalowna, BC in early June. We are looking forward our stay at a resort above Kalowna and are so excited to visit your beautiful country. I’m hoping to see roundabouts there. When I went to England in ’07, I forget to let the Queen know and she came over t0 my country for a visit, so I missed her…bummer! I literately talked myself into driving on the left. My husband says it was like a duck to water. I would ask him what was the number of the road we needed, before I entered the roundabout and he told me. Then he closed his eyes. I drove all over the country for three weeks…was so impressed with the Brits courteous approach to driving…hope I find that in Canada. Don’t know if I’ll get to drive any roundabouts while there but sure hope I do. Blessing to all there.

What are your recommendations on signaling when entering complex roundabouts with 5 or more exits? Based on the text above, I’m speculating that the left turn signal is for all exits that are beyond 2nd (i.e. 3rd, 4th,…, n-th). Is that how it goes?

Correct. Also, in more complex roundabouts, the likelihood of multiple lanes increases. You should always try to choose the correct lane before you enter the circle, so that you do not need to change lanes in the roundabout.

I’m wondering what the procedure is if you are exiting a business that comes out onto the roundabout?
I have sat waiting to leave my place of business while the cars just keep coming. Once in a while somebody notices me waiting and lets me in but otherwise I have to wait a considerable amount of time to get out, especially now that the road (West Shore Parkway) is so much busier with the road going through. Do I have to just wait for somebody polite to let me in or do I have the ROW at some point?
Thanks

Hi Karen – thanks for your comment. The only rule for right of way in a roundabout is that traffic must yield to vehicles already inside the circle. The traffic moving through the circle on Westshore Parkway should slow down before entering the roundabout however; given that there may be a steady stream of vehicles entering the roundabout from these primary points, means you might have to wait for a while before you get a break in traffic to enter the circle. If you think of the roundabout as an intersection and consider your driveway access point as a driveway on a busy street, you can see that the traffic on the busy street will have the right of way and the car in the driveway will have to wait until there is a break in traffic to enter the circle. Make sense? Let us know if you have any other questions!

As a future visitor to your country in September and researching the rules of the road I came across this, and it made me smile. Obviously, we have had roundabouts in the UK forever and don’t even think about it, we always signal our intentions as it makes the traffic flow much smoother, and if you miss your exit just go round again.If you are puzzled by a simple roundabout google ‘magic roundabout Swindon’ a roundabout with five smaller roundabouts on its circumference that would give you a heart attack

Thanks for your comment Keith! We hope you enjoy your visit to Canada. If you have any questions about travel in BC, let us know. Don’t forget to check our travellers information system http://www.DriveBC.ca. Happy trails!

AH A HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!! First of all, there’s a ROUNDABOUT IN BC!!!???? NO!!!! We’re far too stupid to have those. We’d rather drive for a minute, then stop for a minute, then drive for a minute, then stop for a minute, then… and SIGNALLING????

YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!! AH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! We have the WORST drivers IN THE WORLD HERE. Half of them learned to drive when they’re 40+ years old. They’re HOPELESS. These days, it’s SO busy, and so confusing, if you haven’t learned to drive by the time you’re 25, you shouldn’t be allowed to. Ever hear anyone play the piano well when they learned when they were an adult? How about being a GREAT hockey player? Badminton? Tiddly winks? You’ve GOT TO take it up when you’re young, or forget it.

What about the case (seen often) where a train of cars thinks it has the right to blow through a roundabout while the cars at the other inputs sit there and wait for the train to pass?

I say the first car in the train on your left, that arrived just before you, has ROW. The second car is not at the circle when the first goes, but you are, so now you are on the right and have ROW. Just move slowly into the circle as the second car is coming through and watch the startled look of surprise – even a horn honk.

Some drivers are so dense they sit there until all traffic, from all directions except theirs, is gone before they go. Police at circles would have a field day generating lots of revenue and teaching drivers roundabout etiquette.

You are correct. You should enter the circle cautiously after the car already in the circle moves past and it is safe to enter. If there is a roundabout that you have a concern about, we encourage you to share your concern with the local authorities as we only have the power to write the regulations and they are the folks who enforce them. Thanks for connecting with us here.

if the second car in the train has no one already in the roundabout to their left they are allowed to follow the car in front of the into the roundabout. You however do have cars approaching on your left and therefore must yield to them and not pull out in front of them because that is breaking the first rule; being that the cars already in the roundabout have the right of way.

Hi Karen and thanks for commenting here. Yes, it’s easy to be distracted while all sorts of things while on the road (gearing and rare blooms included), however; signals are signs of a drivers intention. No, you can’t always trust that the driver will go where they are signalling, but while driving, all signs should be observed and heeded. Roundabouts with more than one lane will have signs in advance of the circle, identifying where each inbound lane will take you. You should always try to select the lane you will need before you enter the circle, so that you won’t have to change lanes while in the circle. Hope that this helps!

There is a roundabout coming off the Golden Ears bridge in Maple Ridge. Traffic heading north,
does not slow down when entering. Traffic heading west cannot enter roundabout. If you heading west you
have slowly enter roundabout, while at the same time 5 or 6 cars will blow by you coming from the bridge. These cars where not in the roundabout while your are slowly trying to enter. What the rule, do
you not need to slow down when entering. This mostly happens at rush hour.

Cars entering the roundabout needs to yield to traffic already inside the circle, regardless of which location they enter from. Roundabouts are like intersections and cars should approach the roundabout with caution and be prepared to slow or stop if required. Unfortunately, we are only responsible for creating legislation and regulations on BC Highways, BC RCMP and local authorities are responsible for enforcing those speeds and rules. If you would like this area to be policed more closely, you might want to share this concern with the local detachment. Hope that this helps!

Followed links provided by ICBC “Test your knowledge” quiz. I do have a question on one of the questions in the ICBC quiz. Question was in a multi-lane roundabout should you wait till all traffic has cleared to enter the roundabout or just the traffic in the lane you will be entering. My response was to enter when the lane you are entering to is clear. Apparently this is wrong. One should wait till all traffic has cleared. This does not make any sense and goes against all other rules. If you are stopped at a 4 way multi-lane intersection and you are turning right you can turn into the right lane as soon as it is clear. You don’t have to wait till all lanes are clear. Same with a merge lane. You merge preferably using the zipper method when it is safe to enter the lane you are merging into. You don’t have till wait till all lanes are clear. I believe ICBC is incorrect that you have to wait till all lanes in a multi-lane roundabout are clear. You should only have to wait till the first lane is clear.

Thanks for connecting with us here and sharing your concern. We chatted with our traffic engineering department and they confirmed that ICBC is correct. They said that you should look at the pavement marking on the ground for solid or dashed lines. However, just as on a lane highway, people travelling on the highway, as well as those travelling within the roundabout have priority. As such, a person entering a highway/roundabout, if they hit a person legally changing lanes on a highway or in a roundabout would be at fault as they failed to YIELD. Make sense? Let us know if you have any other questions.

I totally agree that, as soon as you pass the exit before the one you want, you should activate the right turn signal. Since many drivers don’t signal before exiting, it might be helpful to signal left after entering and until it’s time to signal right. I’m not convinced that not signalling tells the drivers behind what your intentions are. If there are more than four entrances/exits, a driver may find themselves behind the non-signaller and not know when they entered, so have no idea where “straight ahead” is. Let’s keep it simple: signal left while you’re not preparing to exit, signal right when you are.

Its good to see we are finally recommending people to use their left turn signals while inside the roundabout. It is neither illegal or confusing or to use the left turn signal while inside the roundabout. It is a courtesy and makes for a smoother experience.
I would love to see ICBC promote this in their driving handbook not recommending to signal just when exiting but also while in the roundabout.

Four Way stop signs are older then Roundabouts and people still don’t know if a left turner goes before or after the oncoming vehicle. Think of it as green lights, you wait for through traffic then turn left. With Roundabouts do not let the fact that the pavement goes into a curve stump you. If it was a straight road with many side streets you would first wait for a clearing to enter. Like a multi- lane straight road you work your way over (use signals) to your exit (fore thought). You might have to go around again. Remember just because YOU made a mistake doesn’t mean that we all have to pay for it. Signals in a Roundabout, only to change lanes. Forewarning for others to enter-foolhardy. There is always a guy right behind me as I exit, I exit at the same speed as in the Roundabout. Drive as you need to, safely. Uncontrolled (power lines down) intersections-Four-way stop procedure.

Hi Ian,
Thanks for your comments here. We mostly agree with you (especially the safety part!) except on the signalling to change lanes in the roundabout. If you are travelling in a roundabout with more than one lane, you should always choose your lane of travel in advance of entering to prevent you from having to change lanes while in the roundabout. We encourage drivers to signal their intention when entering and when exiting the roundabout as a best practice and to let others know where they plan on going. All traffic outside the roundabout should yield to traffic already in the circle, thereby reducing the risk of collision. Safe travels.

I think you might have it wrong. Some round-abouts have four lanes circling and can have 5, 6, 7 exits. As you explain it it would be a nightmare! No signal going “straight”? Which one is straight ahead? Your method would only be practical in those tiny,residential,one-lane, traffic-calming roundabouts. Standard international method: Signal left while circling (BTW:we merge left into the round-about and circle left whilst in it). Signal right to exit. There are no left turns in a round about. It is not “like a four way intersection”. It is it’s own thing. Also when there is more than one lane in the round-about, you are to circle in the inner-most lane until passing the exit before the one you wish to take.

Thanks for your comment. Vehicles intending to travel straight through the circle are not required to signal their intention to move straight through when entering the circle but they are required to signal their intent to exit by signalling right.

Also, it might not feel like it while you are in the circle, but if you think about it, when you enter at the six o’clock point and travel around the circle to exit at the nine o’clock point, you are actually making a left turn (you are turning your steering wheel to the left).

Finally, if there is more than one lane in the roundabout, there will be two lanes to exit at each exit point (you shouldn’t have to change lanes to exit). You should exit at your chosen point from the lane you travelled around the circle in. Hope that this helps.

Love this basic rule structure. Only wish it was that simple.
Yes, roundabouts are very good junctions, especially where people have been taught to use them correctly.
But even when most people have been taught to use them well, there are often many mistakes.
Just to assume that by following the rules and indicating correctly, our progress will be assured, it a dangerous route to being surprised when it’s not.
Indicators are a very good tool for sharing our intentions with others. But the important factor here is who are we signalling to? It is no good religiously putting an indicator on, if by doing so it sends the wrong signal to another road user.
As part of a dynamic risk assessment, we can negotiate roundabouts in a safe manner, with due care and attention to other road users, but this does not necessary mean just following the novice training manual on textbook roundabout signalling.

Hi Shannon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. The Motor Vehicle Act does not cover signalling in roundabouts separately from other intersections.
Section 170 states:
(1) If traffic may be affected by turning a vehicle, a person must not turn it without giving the appropriate signal under sections 171 and 172.
(2) If a signal of intention to turn right or left is required, a driver must give it continuously for sufficient distance before making the turn to warn traffic.
(3) If there is an opportunity to give a signal, a driver must not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving the appropriate signal under sections 171 and 172.

Meanwhile, Section 150 (3) states:
(3) The driver of a vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island must drive the vehicle to the right of the island.

A roundabout is essentially a four-way intersection with a rotary traffic island in the middle. As such, drivers should signal accordingly as best practice. Signalling where you intend to go, and when you exit, is best practice. When planning a left turn through a roundabout, for example, a left turn signal indicates to drivers waiting to enter the roundabout that you are continuing past them, and so they should yield. These signal rules are consistent with other countries, such as the United Kingdom.

We are discussing with ICBC about refining their guide, which only mentions signalling right when exiting (also very important).

You reference section 170 of the MVA which states: The driver of a vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island must drive the vehicle to the right of the island.

I complained that logging trucks were driving over the traffic islands on the new Westshore Parkway (in fact the drivers often do not try to navigate around the islands). The bylaw officer for Langford emailed me: “the traffic circles are designed to be driven on for these large trucks making turns”.

Do trucks have different rules permitting driving over traffic circles?

The skirt of a roundabout is actually called a truck apron which has the characteristic of being “mountable.” Beyond the truck apron, there is a vertical curb which is non-mountable. Just like the curb that separates a sidewalk from the surface of a road, the raised curb beyond the truck apron is what defines the rotary island that drivers must keep right of. The truck apron is a required design requirement of all ministry roundabouts to allow the trailers of trucks to not travel on the rotary island.

By contradicting the official authority, ICBC, in claiming people need to signal entering a roundabout.. YOU are causing confusion and YOU are contributing to the cause of accidents. Had you labled it a discussion instead of acting like you are the authority and telling people to do it, then that would be appropriate.

Hi Anonymous. Thanks for connecting with us here to share your concern and our apologies for the delay in our reply.

The BC Motor Vehicle Act is essentially the authoritative guide on driving; however, signalling in roundabouts is not specifically covered.
Relevant sections include:

Section 170 which states:
(1) If traffic may be affected by turning a vehicle, a person must not turn it without giving the appropriate signal under sections 171 and 172.
(2) If a signal of intention to turn right or left is required, a driver must give it continuously for sufficient distance before making the turn to warn traffic.
(3) If there is an opportunity to give a signal, a driver must not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving the appropriate signal under sections 171 and 172.

Meanwhile, Section 150 (3) states:
(3) The driver of a vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island must drive the vehicle to the right of the island.
We have discussed appropriate roundabout signalling with ICBC. We agree signalling right before exiting the roundabout is important.

Our traffic safety engineers’ interpretation of the MVA, as it relates to signalling in roundabouts, views a roundabout similar to a four-way intersection, and maintains there is an added benefit to letting other drivers know the intended exit, even prior to approaching that exit. This view is shared by other countries, such as the UK, and it is our recommendation.

That said, it would be a victory in itself if drivers at least signalled right before exiting roundabouts. We produced the video/blog because we see many drivers do not signal at all – whether entering or exiting – roundabouts.

First exit (typically a right turn) = right turn signal
Second exit (typically going straight through roundabout) = left turn signal until past first exit, then right turn signal
Third exit (typically a left turn) = left turn signal until past second exit, then right turn signal
Fourth exit (legal u-turn) = left turn signal until past third exit, then right turn signal

This is the international standard. Why should BC be different and not require signals for straight through (second exit) movements?

Hi Brian and thanks for connecting with us and sharing your feedback. If you imagine the traffic circle without the concrete middle, you are left with an uncontrolled intersection. In an uncontrolled intersection, you need to signal the direction in which you wish to travel. In the case of someone wanting to go straight ahead – no signal is required. Or how about this – consider that the roundabout has two lanes and the driver intending to travel straight through the intersection signalled left upon entering the roundabout. Other drivers waiting to enter the circle might view this as an opportunity to enter the circle, creating a risk of collision (despite the basic roundabout rule – yield to traffic in the circle). Make sense?

We should also point out these rules are consistent with other countries. Take the United Kingdom, for example: https://www.gov.uk/…/the…/using-the-road-159-to-203

Generally a good article, and a topic that BC drivers certainly need more education on.

That said, Brian has it right, and his suggestion completely agrees with Rule 186 of the UK regulations (Signals And Position).

It’s a little confusing reading the UK rules, because they drive on the other side of the road, but in BC it translates to:
– if taking the first exit, then signal right when entering the roundabout and stay in the outer lane of the roundabout, heading straight to your exit (assuming a two-lane roundabout)
– if taking the any other exit (second or later), then signal left to enter and move to the innermost lane in the roundabout (keeping your left signal on). As you pass the last exit you *don’t* want, signal right and move to the outside lane and then take your exit.

For all drivers waiting to enter, they know exactly whether the drivers already in the roundabout intend to stay in the inside line and continue on the circle, or cross directly in front (of the waiting car) to take their exit.

Hi Melanie. Thanks for looking over the UK rules, which are similar (but, of course, follow the opposite direction). Here is the section of Rule 186 that indicates drivers do not have to signal while entering a roundabout if they intend to take the second exit (i.e. go straight through the roundabout):

“When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise
– select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout
– you should not normally need to signal on approach
– stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
– signal left (right in Canada) after you have passed the exit before the one you want.”

I fully agree with you Brian! I have driven in roundabout all over the world and always abide by the (proper) instructions you outlined. It is the way that drivers in Australia, the UK etc. have managed to use this system for years. I don’t know why people in BC have such a difficult time with putting your left hand signal on when you enter the roundabout and your right signal when exiting. It is that simple! The one and only time you need not put your left signal on is if you are taking the very first exit. In that case you put your right signal on as soon as you enter the circle.

Mistake #1: The Left-Turn Signal. There is no such thing as a left turn in a roundabout. You do not need to signal upon entering a roundabout as there is only one direction in which you can enter. A left-turn signal is utterly confusing, redundant, and plain silly. It is also annoying. It provides no useful information for the driver behind you. Even driving instructors often get that wrong: it appears that they haven’t read the ICBC Rules of the Road for BC. If you are a driving instructor and you are teaching your students to signal left when entering a roundabout in the left lane, you are teaching your students bad practice that is not consistent with ICBC rules. Technically, it is not a violation, but it is bad practice. I often see drivers (including driving schools) signalling left going through the roundabout, in their mind “making a left turn” by taking the 3rd exit. But how are other drivers supposed to know where you entered the roundabout? The danger is that the left turn signal is still in use when the motorists is exiting the roundabout, instead of using the right signal to exit, as is required. Most vehicles automatically turn off the signal when you turn in the opposite direction, but the gentle right turn entering into a roundabout may not be sufficient for disengaging the left-turn signal. Repeat: do not signal entering a roundabout. It is not against the law, but it is silly and dangerous.

I believe there is no reason to signal entering the round about. As far as I know there is no legal requirement to signal entering the round about. From what I can gather from my worldly and travelled friends it is common practice not to signal entering the round about. The article below mentions left signalling entering the round about is a common mistake.

Thanks for your comments and for sharing the link to the ICBC information. You are correct, the link does not recommend using signals when entering the roundabout, only when exiting. We are encouraging signalling as best practice when entering and exiting to keep drivers informed of your plans and reducing any possibility of conflict. The left turn signal isn’t just for the driver behind you, it is also for the other drivers waiting to enter the circle. It gives everyone the information they need to decide if they can safely enter (or exit) the circle. If you imagine the traffic circle without the concrete middle, you are left with an uncontrolled intersection. In an uncontrolled intersection, you need to signal the direction in which you wish to travel. In the case of someone looking to “turn left” at the roundabout, they should indicate that they intend to turn left until they pass the traffic at the twelve o’clock (or straight ahead) position and then signal right to exit. Phew! Hope that this helps.

Signaling left when you are entering the roundabout informs the drivers that are waiting to enter the roundabout that you are continuing in the circle. Once you are reaching your exit, you signal right to indicate your intention to exit the roundabout. I cannot tell you how many times I have saved myself an accident by having my left turn signal engaged while in the circle. People race up to enter the circle assuming you are going to exit out to continue going “straight” up the road, when you are actually going almost the full circle because your exit is the last exit in the circle before you reach the point where you first entered the roundabout. Vehicles have slammed on their breaks because they were about to hit me only at the last moment realizing that my signal let them know my intention was to continue in the circle. Others stop right away as they see I am continuing in the circle. Too many people just assume you are going to continue straight and this let’s them know that you are not.